Indian air force chief visits Israel

Visit expected to include talks of upgrading India’s fleet of drones.

India’s air chief, Marshal Nak Browne, is in Israel for an official visit at the
invitation of his Israeli counterpart, Maj.-Gen. Amir Eshel.

He was
received by Eshel and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.- Gen. Benny Gantz, as well as by an
honor guard at IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv on Sunday.

Browne spoke with
IDF brass about military cooperation between India and Israel. He is set to meet
with Defense Minister Ehud Barak this week as well.

During his visit,
Browne will tour Israel Air Force bases and fighter jet squadrons and will
receive briefings on the IAF’s activities.

The Indian Zee news website
added that an upgrade to India’s fleet of drones would feature highly in the
talks, as well as the status of an air-defense system being developed jointly by
Israel and India.

Browne served as the first Indian military attache to
Israel between 1997 and 2000 and founded the defense wing at the Indian embassy
in Israel.

He is also due to lay a wreath at the Yad Vashem Holocaust
museum in Jerusalem.